Welcome to Croft Medical Centre

Our doctors, nurses and all our other staff are dedicated to offering a professional service and this surgery website will help us to keep all our patients up to date with news and information about our practice.

Changes to how you access your GP services

Due to the current Coronavirus (Covid-19) situation, the way you access your GP practice has changed.

You must now telephone your GP practice - DO NOT attend in person.

Your GP practice will then arrange the best care for you depending on your need. This will likely be a phone call or video call.

If you do need to see a doctor face-to-face, then this will be arranged for you and it may be in a different location.

Alternatively, use the online NHS 111 service or call 111.

We want to reassure you that your GP practice is still here to look after you and your family.

If you have symptoms of Coronavirus infection (Covid-19)

Stay at home and do not leave your house for 7 days from when your symptoms started. This will help protect others in your community whilst you are infectious. You should:

plan ahead and ask others for help to ensure that you can successfully stay at home

ask your employer, friends and family to help you to get the things you need to stay at home

stay at least 2 meters (about 3 steps) away from other people in your home whenever possible

wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water

stay away from vulnerable individuals such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions as much as possible

You do not need to contact your GP Practice or call NHS 111 to go into self-isolation.

You will need to self-isolate for 7 days. After 7 days:

if you do not have a high temperature, you do not need to self-isolate

if you still have a high temperature, keep self-isolating until your temperature returns to normal

If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days contact online/call the NHS 111 service.

If you, or the person you are caring for, is struggling to breathe, has a fast pulse, their hands or lips are cold and/or blue, are drowsy, confused or difficult to wake, has tightness in their chest, or is unable to speak in short sentences, dial NHS 111 or 999 immediately.

If you need any other medical help, or advice, please contact your GP surgery between the hours of 8.00am and 6.30pm, and NHS 111 between the hours of 6.30pm and 8.30am for advice. In case of emergency, call 999.

COVID-19 CARE ASSISTANT

If you’re finding it hard to access information for Coronavirus, or are self-isolating, meet Ask A&E’s free COVID-19 Care Assistant, powered by Babylon. It helps make it easier for you to take care of yourself and the ones you love.

The COVID-19 Care Assistant offers free information from NHS doctors and clinicians. You can access it through the University Hospitals of Birmingham website, or by searching for ‘Ask A&E Birmingham’. You will then be asked to register for an account.

Here’s how it can help you, in four easy steps.

Get the latest information: The COVID-19 Care Assistant gives you continually-updated information about coronavirus. Topics like how to self-isolate and how to take care of someone with coronavirus. Information comes from NHS doctors and Public Health England.

Access a symptom checker and live chat: The symptom checker has the ability to recognise what might be COVID-19 symptoms and suggest possible next steps. You can access the symptom checker (24/7) via the website and use the live chat feature (8am-8pm) to ask questions and receive answers from a member of the team.

Receive a care plan: After you receive information about your symptoms, the COVID-19 Care Assistant will give you a care plan, based on the latest guidance. After downloading the Babylon app and using your existing log in details, you’ll get daily notifications to track your symptoms, including your temperature, information for the isolation period and general tips for your physical and mental wellbeing.

Speak to a healthcare expert: The COVID-19 Care Assistant allows you to have a video consultation with a clinician via the website. After you enter your symptoms into the symptom checker, it will indicate possible next steps. But, if you believe you need to speak to a healthcare professional, you can book a video consultation. You can do all of this within the website or by downloading the Babylon app.

Do not use this service during an emergency (emergency services should be contacted instead), or if you are pregnant. Steps 1-3 of Ask A&E’s COVID-19 Care Assistant is a general information service. It does not provide medical advice or a diagnosis but will provide you with information and/or possible actions you may take. Depending on the outcome of Steps 1-3, you may be referred for a digital consultation with a local clinician (Step 4).

* * * * * ANTIBIOTIC AWARENESS * * * * *

Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats facing us today

Why it is relevant to you:Without effective antibiotics many routine treatments will become increasingly dangerous such as setting broken bones, basic operations and even chemotherapy.

What we want you to do:To slow resistance we need to cut the unnecessary use of antibiotics. We invite our patients to become Antibiotic Guardians.

Call to action:Choose one simple pledge about how you’ll make better use of antibiotics and help save these vital medicines from becoming obsolete, log onto www.antibioticguardian.com to make your pledge.

GET BETTER WITHOUT USING ANTIBIOTICS

How should I treat my cold?

The best way to treat most colds, coughs or sore throats is to drink plenty of fluids and to rest. Colds can last about two weeks and may end with a cough and bringing up phlegm. There are many over the counter remedies to ease the symptoms – paracetamol, for example. Ask your pharmacist for advice. If the cold lasts more than three weeks, or you become breathless or have chest pains, or already have a chest complaint, see your doctor.

What about my children, they’re always getting coughs and colds?

It’s very common for children to get coughs and colds, especially when they go to school and mix with other children. Ask your pharmacist for advice. If the symptoms persist and you are concerned, see your doctor but you shouldn’t expect to be prescribed antibiotics.

Why should antibiotics not be used to treat coughs and colds?

All colds and most coughs and sore throats are caused by viruses. Antibiotics do not work against infections, such as colds, caused by viruses. Viral infections are much more common than bacterial infections.

What are antibiotics?

Antibiotics are important medicines used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Bacteria can adapt and find ways to survive the effects of an antibiotic. They become ‘antibiotic resistant’ so that the antibiotic no longer works. The more often we use an antibiotic, the more likely it is that bacteria will become resistant to it. Some bacteria that cause infections in hospitals, such as MRSA, are resistant to several antibiotics.

Why can’t different antibiotics be used instead?

They can, but they may not be as effective, and they may have more side-effects. And eventually the bacteria will become resistant to them too. We cannot be sure we will always be able to find new antibiotics to replace the old ones. In recent years fewer new antibiotics have been discovered.

How can antibiotic resistance be avoided?

By using antibiotics less often we can slow down the development of resistance. It’s not possible to stop it completely, but slowing it down stops resistance spreading and buys some time to develop new types of antibiotics.

What can I do about antibiotic resistance?

By only using antibiotics when it’s appropriate to do so. We now know that most coughs and colds get better just as quickly without antibiotics. When they are prescribed, the complete course should be taken in order to get rid of the bacteria completely. If the course isn’t completed, some bacteria may be left to develop resistance.

So when will I be prescribed antibiotics?

Your doctor will only prescribe antibiotics when you need them, for example for a kidney infection or pneumonia. Antibiotics may be life-saving for infections such as meningitis. By not using them unnecessarily, they are more likely to work when we need them.

HELP US TO HELP YOU!

If you are unable to make your appointment PLEASE let us know so that someone else can benefit from it.

You can cancel by phoning the practice, via the online services or Text CANCEL to 07537401996

HOW AND WHEN TO CALL THE PRACTICE

The Surgery doors open at 8.30am. The phone lines open at 8.00am. The phone lines are often very busy at 08.00hrs and you will probably have to ring consistently half a dozen times to get into the call queue at this time of the morning, but you will eventually get into the call queue. One you are in the queue you will be answered as quickly as possible.

RECEPTION - 0121 270 7180

Appointments 8.00am - 10.00am To request an on day appointment or to book a visit

Results 10.00am - 6.30pm To check to see if your results are back

General enquiries 10.00am - 6.30pm

Receptionists are NOT able to take requests for repeat medication over the telephone

Medical records 9.00am - 4.30pm To enquire about the progress of a report of copies of medical records

Reports

ONLINE ACCESS

Did you know that you can book appointments and order repeat prescriptions on line?

To obtain login details, you will need one form of ID to take into reception who can then arrange for you to have access.

PHARMACIES

We would ask you to consider whether your need could be met by a local pharmacist. All of the nearby pharmacists take part in something called the minor ailment scheme whereby they can prescribe what you need in the same way your GP can. Pop in and see them. There is no charge for this service and you only pay for your medication if you would normally pay for medication. The pharmacist wont be able to treat you if you have chronic disease but they will be able to help with more minor conditions.

EXTENDED HOURS

This service is provided from Bosworth Medical Centre on Crabtree Drive, B37 5BU, 7 days per week. To book you ring the Croft Medical Centre in the same way 0121 270 7180.

We now also offer early (7.15am - 8.00am) and late (6.30pm - 7.00pm) telephone consultations.